Karlsson Returns to Palmer Cup Roster

For the second year in a row, Liberty's Robert Karlsson will be among those representing Europe at the 2012 Palmer Cup. This time around, Karlsson and the rest of the eight-man European team will look to claim the title on their home turf, with the event taking place at The Royal County Down Golf Club in Newcastle, Northern Ireland, June 28-30.

The Ryder Cup-style event pits two teams of the top collegiate golfers in the country against each other. The United States leads the event's overall series, 8-6-1, dating back to its inaugural tournament in 1997. Last year, the United States team captured its second straight title with a 13-11 victory over the European squad, recording the win at The Stanwich Club in Greenwich, Conn.

Some of the best golfers from around the world have competed in this collegiate event, including current PGA and European Tour professionals Alejandro Cañizares, Ben Curtis, Luke Donald, Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Pablo Martín, Graeme McDowell, Richie Ramsay, Brandt Snedeker and Oliver Wilson.

Cappelen, Karlsson and Widegren all return to the European squad roster for the second time. Last year, Cappelen posted a 3-1 mark, while Widegren went 2-2 and Karlsson was 0-2-2. This will be Widegren's third Palmer Cup, after he claimed three of four matches in his first appearance in 2010.

Rickard Lindberg, the National Men's Coach for the Swedish Golf Team, will serve as Europe's coach for the second straight year. Scotland's David Inglis, a former Palmer Cup participant and current assistant coach at Northwestern, will again serve as his assistant.

"This is a very strong European team with links experts that will suit this kind of course," said Lindberg. "Top players from both college golf in the U.S. and strong successful European amateurs will team up at The Royal County Down Golf Club in late June. It's going to be a great match and I can't wait." Karlsson and the rest of the Flames are currently awaiting the field announcement and locations for the

2012 NCAA Regionals. Liberty will be making its second straight trip to the NCAA Regionals, following the Flames' record-setting victory at the Big South Men's Golf Championship, last week.